Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the barriers to intrauterine device (IUD) use at a University-Based Women’s Clinic. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of subjects receiving obstetrical care at a University-Based Women’s Clinic. Eligible women who consented to participate self-administered a 16-question survey during a routine prenatal visit. Descriptive statistics were used to report participants’ demographics and history of contraception use. Additionally, subjects were asked if they would consider IUD use in the future. Results: A total of 160 women participated in this study. The average age of this sample was 24.9 (SD = 6.3). The majority were in low income and low education categories. Only 5% of women reported previous IUD use. 27% of women surveyed desired more information regarding IUD contraception. 19% of participants would consider using an IUD in the future and 25% would considerIUD in the future if they knew more about them. Insurance and financial constraints were cited as barriers to IUD use. 4% of the sample reported that they had used an IUD previously and were unhappy with it due to pain and discomfort. 18% would not consider an IUD because they had heard about side effects. 68%of the surveyed sample reported unintended pregnancies. Conclusion: The two most common barriers to IUD use in this patient population was lack of knowledgeand concern about side effects. Increasing patients’ knowledge of IUDs has the potential to increase IUD utilization in this clinic population which reported a 68% rate of unintended pregnancy.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2009) Increasing Use of Contraceptive Implants and Intrauterine Devices to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 114, 1434-1438. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181c6f965

Finer, L.B. and Henshaw, S.K. (2006) Disparities in Rates of Unintended Pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38, 90-96.http://dx.doi.org/10.1363/3809006

Stubbs, E. and Schamp, A. (2008) The Evidence Is In. Why Are IUDs Still Out? Family Physicians’ Perceptions of Risk and Indications. Canadian Family Physician, 54, 560-566.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18411385